Give me a fin

Lending a fin to fans of fish

About the Site

Give Me a Fin is a website by lovers of fish for other lovers of fish. It is our desire to ‘give a fin’ to fishkeepers new and old. We’d love to help the next generation of fish-obsessed hobbyists avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that we’ve suffered through.

On this website, you will find 4 main categories: Fishkeeping 411, fish profiles, plant profiles, and breeding fish 101.

Fishkeeping 411

In this category you will find all the basic information that you need to start your first aquarium. Whether you’re a first owner of our scaly friends, or just want to recap on some vital information, this is the place to start.

Fish Profiles

In this category you will find detailed reports of various species. They are sorted in three different ways: by temperament, by water level, and by family so you can easily find what you need.

Plant Profiles

The plant profiles category can help you find the perfect floating plant to make your surface-dwelling fish feel secure, or one to fill that straggly decoration that needs some green!

Breeding Fish 101

Want to take the next step, and make your five fishy friends become 50, then this section will teach you how to do it!

Tank Calculator

Articles

The Livebearers – Poeciliidae

In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at the livebearers, or fish that give birth to live young. Despite the popularity of the goldfish and betta fish, many aquarists have neither of these as their first. Instead, that honor usually belongs to a guppy, or...

How To Choose the Right Aquarium Substrate

Everyone knows that setting up a “good” aquarium requires certain essential elements. You’ve got to choose the right combination of fish, establish the correct water parameters, and select appropriate decorations to keep things interesting, both for you and your...

African Glass Catfish

The term “African Glass Catfish” refers to a handful of small, similar-looking freshwater fishes. While they are not from the same genus, the fishkeeping industry continues to group them under one common name. Background Fish considered part of the African Glass...

Cherry Barbs – Puntius titteya

Barbs are a group of hardy, colorful freshwater fish that are extremely popular in the aquarium trade. While many people may think of the classic Tiger Barb when they hear the term “barb,” there are many others that you should get to know if you have (or plan to have)...

How to Set up the Perfect Aquarium

If you plan to set up a tank for new fishy friends, this article is perfect for you. There is a lot more to developing a thriving aquarium than just filling it with water and adding fish.  This article will outline all the key steps in setting up a gorgeous, thriving...

Clown Loaches – Chromobotia macracantha

Some freshwater fish are desired for their personalities; others for their coloration. Clown Loaches possess both of these qualities. But beware, aquarium enthusiasts – Clown Loaches require much more care and attention than their playful name implies. While pet shops...

Bronze Corydoras – Corydoras aeneus

Everyone loves a lively aquarium.  People tend to focus their attention on fish who inhabit the top and middle levels of the tank, though. However, there are plenty of bottom-dwelling fish with big personalities and lots of energy who deserve your appreciation, too....

The Care and Keeping of Labyrinth fish

Evolution is a fascinating thing; whether through survival pressure or simple chance, sometimes we end up with some weird creatures on this planet. Labyrinth fish are one example of this. While they look like any other tropical fish, their bodies hide an unusual...

Fish Types and their Classification

Scientists specializing in the study of fish, professionally known as ichthyologists, classify fish types of today into four categories. Each class boasts essential differences that separate it from the others. It can be tempting to think that one fish is very much...

Plecos – Everything You Need to Know About Them

Plecos are a common choice for fish keepers as they aren't high maintenance. There are over 150 different species, but the most popular are the common Pleco and Bristlenose Pleco. These nocturnal, freshwater catfish can be found in the rivers and streams of South...

Michaela Riek: Content Writer

Do you find it fishy that someone would want to become a writer for a website like Give Me a Fin? Would you like to know what drives someone over the boundary between liking fish and being a finatic? In this bio article, we’ll learn more about writer Michaela Riek. I...

The Livebearers – Poeciliidae

In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at the livebearers, or fish...

African Glass Catfish

The term “African Glass Catfish” refers to a handful of small, similar-looking...

Bronze Corydoras – Corydoras aeneus

Everyone loves a lively aquarium.  People tend to focus their attention on...

Cherry Barbs – Puntius titteya

Barbs are a group of hardy, colorful freshwater fish that are extremely...

Clown Loaches – Chromobotia macracantha

Some freshwater fish are desired for their personalities; others for their...

Danielle Frecknall: Chief Writer

For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with all animals, great and small. Ask my mum and she’ll regale stories of my brother and I getting hands on with nature. We loved bug hunting, tadpole collecting, and doing our version of fishing at the edge of our grandfather’s Koi pond.

Fish Types and their Classification

Scientists specializing in the study of fish, professionally known as...

How To Choose the Right Aquarium Substrate

Everyone knows that setting up a “good” aquarium requires certain essential...

How to Set up the Perfect Aquarium

If you plan to set up a tank for new fishy friends, this article is perfect...

Johanan Viljoen: Editor-In-Chief

I have loved fish for an awfully long time. When I was a little boy, my mother used to take me to the pet store when I was upset. Something about all the fish cheered me right up,

Keeping Fish: How Did it Start and Why Do We Do It?

Fish; they have enthralled, exhilarated, and bemused people for centuries....

The Livebearers – Poeciliidae

In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at the livebearers, or fish...

The Care and Keeping of Labyrinth fish

Evolution is a fascinating thing; whether through survival pressure or simple...

Fish Types and their Classification

Scientists specializing in the study of fish, professionally known as...

Clown Loaches – Chromobotia macracantha

Some freshwater fish are desired for their personalities; others for their...

How to Set up the Perfect Aquarium

If you plan to set up a tank for new fishy friends, this article is perfect...

African Glass Catfish

The term “African Glass Catfish” refers to a handful of small, similar-looking...

Danielle Frecknall: Chief Writer

For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with all animals, great and small. Ask my mum and she’ll regale stories of my brother and I getting hands on with nature. We loved bug hunting, tadpole collecting, and doing our version of fishing at the edge of our grandfather’s Koi pond.

Michaela Riek: Content Writer

Do you find it fishy that someone would want to become a writer for a website...

Cherry Barbs – Puntius titteya

Barbs are a group of hardy, colorful freshwater fish that are extremely...

Keeping Fish: How Did it Start and Why Do We Do It?

Fish; they have enthralled, exhilarated, and bemused people for centuries....